NEW BRITAIN - In its 20th year, a Connecticut mutual bank foundation has made a donation to a local institution that provides help to children and families who have been traumatized by abuse, family problems and mental health issues.

The Liberty Bank Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Klingberg Family Centers to support the vocational education program for students attending Raymond Hill School in New Britain.

“We’re proud to support programming at Klingberg,” said Marzena Bukowski, manager of Liberty Bank’s New Britain branch, in a release announcing the awarding of the grant. “This particular program prepares students for independent living by giving them hands-on work experience and the practical skills needed to find employment.”

In addition to providing vocational education for students at Raymond Hill School, the centers provide outpatient services and family therapy, foster care and adoption services, including Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, and more.

“We really appreciate Liberty Bank’s support,” said Mark Johnson, vice president of development at Klingberg Family Centers. “These funds will specifically benefit the Marjorie Moore School Store, which reinforces the positive behavior of all students and teaches the principles of running a business.”

The Liberty Bank Foundation has awarded more than $10 million in grants to nonprofit organizations within Liberty Bank’s market area since its inception. Focusing in three areas - education to promote economic success for children and families, affordable housing, and nonprofit capacity building - the foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for people of low or moderate income by investing. Liberty Bank, Connecticut’s oldest mutual bank, has 55 banking offices throughout the state.

The Klingberg Family Centers, a private, nonprofit provides help to thousands of people across Connecticut, each year, through 20 programs in addition to Raymond Hill School. With an additional location in Hartford, the center’s main campus is located in New Britain. For more information about Klingberg Family Centers, visit klingberg.org.